4 mariners, dog rescued after boat breaks in half

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Three men, a woman, and a dog were rescued after their boat broke in half and sank approximately two miles east of Talbot Island, Jacksonville, Fla.

None of the mariners reported any injuries. The dog was also in good condition.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation via VHF channel 16 at 7:43 p.m. The report stated that four mariners were aboard the 53-foot catamaran Nookta Dancer when it broke in half.

Sector Jacksonville watchstanders launched a crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Coast Guard Station Mayport at 7:45 p.m. Watchstanders also called Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department at 7:56 p.m. The crew aboard a casino vessel also volunteered to respond.

The four mariners and the dog abandoned ship onto a 10-foot life raft. Coast Guard crews arrived on scene and rescued the mariners and the dog at approximately 8:15 p.m.